Spotlight PA

Some are hopeful the chamber will finally pass rule changes aimed at giving all lawmakers a say in making policy, but there’s reason to be skeptical.

Democrats won 102 seats in the 203-member chamber during the November midterm election, but three vacancies led to a battle for control and ultimately a compromise pick.

As legislative leaders battle for control, Democrats and Republicans will choose a person to serve as speaker of the Pennsylvania House.

Incoming Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s transition team includes prominent Republicans and those backing policies criticized by Democrats.

Outgoing Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said criticism of his COVID-19 business closure and waiver program were “right on the mark.”

Republicans could have a functional majority in the Pa. House until at least February and are considering using the advantage to pass major constitutional amendments.

Echoing findings of a Spotlight PA investigation, an advisory board is questioning the rigor of telemedicine appointments for marijuana cards and advertising by marijuana businesses.

The $100 million total price tag, more than half of which was spent by Democratic Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro, underscores the state’s notoriously weak campaign finance laws.

If the courts side with Cutler, it would delay filling three empty, Democratic-leaning seats until at least March, with the May primary being the latest an election could be scheduled.

Pennsylvania Senate Republicans requested partial Social Security and driver’s license numbers as part of a yearslong attempt to audit the 2020 election.

The lack of local maintenance codes can contribute to poor housing quality and less investment in areas, according to a study from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania.

The legal office of Pennsylvania’s governor won’t explain why it paid private law firms at least $367,500.

Democrats won a House majority in the midterms. But a vacancy has split the chamber evenly until at least Jan. 3, and the parties disagree on who should control it until then.

The Democrat is not the only governor-to-be who has given donors plum positions ahead of his inauguration, but some say the practice highlights the need to get money out of politics.

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